WATTLED JACAnaGALLITO DE CIENAGA

The jacana is a colorful water medium-sized bird with long bluish-grey legs and very long toes and claws. Its long toes allow it to walk across floating vegetation. It always has a red forehead and a wattle at base of bill. The adult has reddish or chestnut-brown upperparts. Head and neck are black. The yellow bill contrasts strongly with the red coloration. The eyes are dark brown. The male weighs from 88 to 120 g. Females are twice heavier than males. It uses its bill to turn over aquatic vegetation, grasslands, cultivated areas and wet meadows. It can grasp the edges of these plants with the toes to partially turn them over in search of food. Insects, snails, worms, small crabs, fish, mollusks, and seeds are all on the menu. The jacana often sends out noisy alarms when it thinks predators are near. If threatened, her chicks, as well as adults, stay underwater for long periods with only the tip of their bill above water. They can also swim underwater to avoid predators. These birds have a sharp spur on the elbow of each wing for defense. The female lays 3-4 eggs that are incubated up to 28 days. They are olive/tan-colored shiny and glossy. They have dark markings with a beautiful design that is different for each egg. Chicks can walk, swim, and dive a few hours after hatch. The male carries his chicks under his wings, if in danger. Only about half of all jacana chicks survive to adulthood.